Step 1) Remove testicles
Step 2) Have them ready for the instructer at the door
Step 3) Don't forget to pick them up after you finish your degree.

Alright, its not really that bad. There is a lot I have learned about feminism and matriarcal power over the past four years, but nursing isn't nearly as female oriented as it once was. I struggled the first year with stereotypes and learning how to deal with 300 women all at once, but after that, it was smooth sailing. I've made some good friends and had a good time and because I was good I got my boys back a couple months early.
Enjoy

Mar 31, '07

LOL, allright - hook me up with your intel/words of wisdom (anyone)

PS- Were you prior AF?

Apr 1, '07

Went from Air Force to inpatient mental health to RN school to ER. No real problems.

Step 1) Remove testicles
Step 2) Have them ready for the instructer at the door
Step 3) Don't forget to pick them up after you finish your degree.

Apr 2, '07

It's a relatively different experience from most of us.

I had a good time in nursing school. Being a male didn't seem to be a big deal. There were two of us there. I didn't join any study groups, and just worked hard and was friendly to everyone.

The only problem I had was I worked full time and when I whined about all the work and how tired I was I didn't get a lick of support........."AT LEAST YOU'RE NOT A MOTHER. HUMPH!" LOL

Did you see the thread about my advice not to mention the um....monthly cycle.....they experience. Even if they bring it up, as they sometimes do, just nod and keep a neutral expression on your face. I'm sure being married you've learned this lesson.

Congratulations and good luck.

Apr 3, '07

Sit in the back of class and the girls in front of you will show you there thong.

Apr 3, '07

My advice? Start working out. Get those arms, abs, and back muscles strong. Youre going to need them when every female on the floor runs to you first to help move thier patient.

Im the only guy on my floor at clinicals and I am constantly helping move and reposition patients. Might not sound like alot till you get a good 400+ pounder and they need to bring in 2 other girls besides myself and the nurse/cna.

My advice? Start working out. Get those arms, abs, and back muscles strong. Youre going to need them when every female on the floor runs to you first to help move thier patient.

Im the only guy on my floor at clinicals and I am constantly helping move and reposition patients. Might not sound like alot till you get a good 400+ pounder and they need to bring in 2 other girls besides myself and the nurse/cna.

Ain't that the truth.

Apr 5, '07

My testicles behave themselves--I didn't have to hand them over. Nursing school was a lot of work. Learning to "think like a nurse" can require some major mental shifts. I vacillate on whether it has anything to do with gender. Sometimes I think women may be more naturally holistic and synthetic, while men are more inclined to be analytic. But women had trouble with it, too.
My class of 80 had 16 men in it--a record for our school. Instructors were very pleased by the increasing numbers of males. I don't think we got any special favors, but I don't think we were abused, either. By far the most notable adjustment, in terms of gender, was having so many female classmates. Many were young and attractive. I did not find that to be a negative, although my test scores did tend to drop toward the end of the spring semesters. Probably partly due to fatigue, but also distraction. As previously stated, my testicles behave themselves, but that isn't to say they don't get ideas when the weather changes and attire gets flimsier.

To some extent in school, but much moreso in practice, I'm grateful every day for my strong back. I try to be as independent as I can, but there are inevitably plenty of times when I need the help of a female colleague. If I can reciprocate with something as simple as lifting help, hurray.

Apr 5, '07

I will graduate from a class of 300, one of 5 males...definitley the minority. I was never left out of anything, never teased, pointed at or made to feel unwelcome in any aspect of my schooling. My most embarassing moment was probably stripping down to be the dummy for chest assessment. The prof took my bp and pulse to begin with...150/95, pulse 140. There I am, half naked in front of almost 300 females...go figure.
The testicles comment was not a "keep it in your pants" thing, although it is a good idea...one bad move and the news will travel like wildfire...what I meant was prepare to be immasculated by the constant promotion of a matriarcal / female dominated power stream. Our class had constant discussions about how female power differed from male power and how the former is so much better (females think it through, discuss it, think about it some more and then act after seeing all the info / males think about it, come up with ideas and do it). I fought hard for the male oriented thinking but to no avail. I understand the advantages of female power in a profession such as this, but I still have to stick up for my own kind. Anyway, just wanted to clear that up...

Apr 5, '07

I'm just finishing my 2nd semester of a 2 year program and am really enjoying it.

I haven't noticed any male vs female issues in our program.

One weird thing though is that the women sort of stop noticing you and speak pretty frankly in the same room as you. I've been sitting studying in the same lounge and heard lots of discussions about boob jobs, the price of bras vs panties, etc. Had to remind some classmates that I was present when the conversation got more graphic. I really don't want to know that much about my classmates.